Search
Close this search box.

Wild Flower Reports

Other Reports

2024 WILDFLOWERS

KEY: ES=Early Stages; JSB=Just Starting to Bloom; Budded; APB=Approaching Peak Bloom; *=At Peak Bloom; BP=Beyond Peak; AG=Almost Gone; VS=Various Stages

OCTOBER 21
LEAD COVE TRAIL (B-E): MANY BLOOMS—White Top Asters (BP).  SOME BLOOMS—Erect Golden Rod (BP).  FEW BLOOMS—Curtis Aster*, White Snake Root (AG).

BOTE MOUNTAIN TRAIL (LEAD COVE TRAIL TO FINELY CANE TRAIL): FEW BLOOMS—Curtis Aster*, Erect Golden Rod*, Mountain Gentian (BP), White Top Aster (BP).

FINELY CANE TRAIL (B-E): FEW BLOOMS—Curtis Aster*, Erect Golden Rod (BP), White Snake Root (AG), White Top Aster (BP).

 

OCTOBER 16
CROOKED ARM TRAIL (B-E): MANY BLOOMS—Curtis Aster*, Erect Goldenrod*, Mountain Gentian (various stages).  SOME BLOOMS—White Top Aster*.  FEW BLOOMS—Great Lobelia (BP), Mountain Mint (AG), White Snake Root (BP).

OCTOBER 11
ROUNDTOP TRAIL: MANY BLOOMS—Erect Goldenrod (various stages).  SOME BLOOMS—Curtis Aster*, White Top Aster (BP).  FEW BLOOMS—Black Eyed Susan (AG), Coreopsis (BP), Great Lobelia*, Low Hop Trefoil (BP), Mountain Gentian*.

OCTOBER 7
CHESTNUT TOP TRAIL: MANY BLOOMS—White Top Aster (various stages).  SOME BLOOMS—Erect Golden Rod (various stages), White Snake Root (various stages), Whitewood Aster (various stages).  FEW BLOOMS—Curtis Aster*, False Fox Glove*, Low Hop Trefoil, Mountain Gentian*.

SEPTEMBER 30
ABRAMS FALLS TRAIL (B TO FALLS): MANY BLOOMS—Erect Goldenrod*, Purple Asters*, White Top Aster*.  SOME BLOOMS—Great Lobelia (BP), Pilewort*, Whitewood Aster*, White Turtlehead (BP).  FEW BLOOMS—Coreopsis (BP), Curtis Asters*, Hearts-a-busting (BP), Southern Harebell (BP).

 

SEPTEMBER 23
LUMBER RIDGE TRAIL (B TO TOP OF RIDGE): MANY BLOOMS—Blue Asters (various stages), Erect Goldenrod (various stages), Great Lobelia (various stages), Mountain Gentian (various stages), White Snakeroot – (various stages), White Top Aster*.  SOME BLOOMS—Curtis Milkwort*, False Fox Glove (JSB), Southern (BP).  FEW BLOOMS—Black Eyed Susan (AG), Hearts-a-busting (AG), Mist Flower*, Pilewort (BP), Pink Turtlehead*.

 

SEPTEMBER 16
JAKES CREEK TRAIL (B TO CAMPSITE #27): MANY BLOOMS—Erect Goldenrod (various stages), Pale Jewelweed (various stages), Spotted Jewelweed (BP), White Top Aster (various stages), Whitewood Aster*.  SOME BLOOMS—Mountain Gentian (various stages).  FEW BLOOMS—Asiatic Dayflower*, Black Cohosh (BP), Blue Asters (BP), Coreopsis*, Hearts-a-busting, Heal All (BP), Pink Turtlehead*.  NOTES—The Mountain Gentian are about two and a half miles up the trail before campsite #27—some are just starting to bloom; however many of them are at peak bloom. If for no other reason it would be worth it to hike up to see this beautiful display. If you take the trail, try to locate the Pink Turtlehead about 1.5 miles up the trail on the left about 2 feet from the trail in a small stream below the trail.

 

SEPTEMBER 9
WEST PRONG TRAIL (B TO CAMPSITE #18): MANY BLOOMS—Blue Stem Goldenrod (BP), Erect Goldenrod (BP), Flat Top White Aster (APB), arrow Leaf White Top Aster (APB), Thoroughwort (BP), White Snake Root (various stages).  FEW BLOOMS—Great Lobelia (various stages), Hearts-a-busting, Iron Weed (BP), Southern Harebell*.

 

SEPTEMBER 6
LITTLE RIVER TRAIL (B TO HUSKEY GAP TRAIL): MANY BLOOMS—Cardinal Flower*, White Top Aster*, Wild Golden Glow*.  SOME BLOOMS—Golden Rod, Heal All (BP), Whitewood Aster (various stages).  FEW BLOOMS—Asiatic Day Flower*, Coreopsis*, Flowering Spurge (AG), Great Lobelia (APB), Ironweed*, Pale Jewelweed*, Saint John’s Wort, Spotted Jewelweed (BP), White Snake Root (JSB).

AUGUST 12
COOPER RD. TRAIL (FROM ABRAMS CREEK RANGER STATION TO GOLDMINE TRAIL): MANY BLOOMS—Black Eyed Susan*, Flowering Spurge*, Heal All (various stages), Spotted Jewelweed (BP), Tick Trefoil (BP), Wild Potato Vine (various stages).  SOME BLOOMS—Daisy Fleabane (AG), Reclining Saint Andrews Cross*, Saint John’s Wort (APB). FEW BLOOMS—Cardinal Flower*, Horse Nettle (BP), Joe Pye Weed*, Mountain Angelica (AG), Phlox*, Pokeweed (BP), Purple Flowering (AG), Red Clover (BP), Spider Wort (BP).  NOTES—The best display of flowers are along the road between the Abrams Creek ranger station and the campground. I count it as part of the Cooper Road trail—hikers must hike along this gravel roadway to get to the Cooper Road trailhead from the parking lot that is just past the ranger station.

AUGUST 5
GRAPEYARD RIDGE TRAIL (FROM GREENBRIER ROAD 2 HOURS UP THE TRAIL):
MANY BLOOMS—Coreopsis (various stages), Heal All (various stages).  SOME BLOOMS—Tick Trefoil (BP).  FEW BLOOMS—Asiatic Dayflower*, Cardinal Flower (various stages), Golden Rod, Saint John’s Wort (JSB).

AUGUST 2
OLD SUGARLAND TRAIL: MANY BLOOMS—Heal All (various stages), Phlox (JSB).  SOME BLOOMS—Saint John’s Wort (JSB).  FEW BLOOMS—Asiatic Dayflower*, Doll Eyes (berries), Flowering Spurge (BP), Golden Rod (JSB), Queen Anne’s Lace (BP), Spotted Jewelweed (BP), Thimbleweed (BP), Tick Trefoil (BP).

July 22
METCALF BOTTOMS TRAIL (B-E): SOME BLOOMS—Heal All (APB), Tick Trefoil*.  FEW BLOOMS—Black Eyed Susan*, Flowering Spurge (AG), Saint John’s Wort*.

WALKER SISTERS CABIN TRAIL (B-E): MANY BLOOMS—Tick Trefoil*.  SOME BLOOMS—Heal All (ABP).  FEW BLOOMS—Coreopsis*, Flowering Spurge (BP), Phlox (APB), Red Clover (BP), Saint John’s Wort*, Thimbleweed (AG), Wood Nettle (AG).

LITTLE BRIER GAP TRAIL (B-E): MANY BLOOMS—Tick Trefoil*.  SOME BLOOMS— Heal All*.  FEW BLOOMS—Coreopsis*.

LITTLE GREENBRIER TRAIL  (B TO LITTLE BRIER GAP TRAIL):  SOME BLOOMS—Coreopsis*, White Top Aster (AG).  FEW BLOOMS—Poison Hemlock*, Reclining Saint Andrew’s Cross*, Tick Trefoil*.

WEARS GAP ROAD (PARK BOUNDARY TO METCALF BOTTOMS): MANY BLOOMS—Black Eyed Susan*, Mountain Mint*.  SOME BLOOMS—Heal All*, Phlox*, Poison Hemlock*.  FEW BLOOMS—Red Clover (BP), Saint John’s Wort*, Spotted Jewelweed (AG), Thimbleweed (BP), Tick Trefoil*, White Clover (BP), White Top Aster (AG), Wild Potato Vine*.

JULY 15
MIDDLE PRONG TRAIL (B TO PANTHER CREEK TRAIL VIA LYNN CAMP PRONG CASCADE): MANY BLOOMS—Flowering Spurge (BP), Heal All (various stages), Wood Nettle (BP).  SOME BLOOMS—Crimson Bee Balm*, Doll Eyes (berries). Rosebay Rhododendron (various stages), Tick Trefoil*.  FEW BLOOMS—Daisy Fleabane (BP), Pale Jewelweed*, Saint Johns Wort*.

JULY 8
BIG CREEK TRAIL (B TO 1ST LARGE BRIDGE, VIA MIDNIGHT HOLE & MOUSE FALLS): MANY BLOOMS—Pink Trefoil*, Rosebay Rhododendron*.  SOME BLOOMS—Flowering Spurge (BP), Heal All (JSB), Pale Jewelweed*, Saint John’s Wort (JSB), Wood Nettle (BP).  FEW BLOOMS—Asiatic Dayflower*, Purple Flowering Raspberry (AG).

JULY 1
LUMBER RIDGE TRAIL: MANY BLOOMS—Reclining Saint Andrews Cross*, White Top Aster*.  SOME BLOOMS—Coreopsis (various stages), Downy Wood Mint (various stages).  FEW BLOOMS—Curtiss Milkwort (JSB), Horse Nettle*, Rosebay Rhododendron (BP), Star Grass*, Starry Campion*.

JUNE 24
PORTER CREEK TRAIL (B TO FERN FALLS): SOME BLOOMS—Black Cohosh (APB), Rosebay Rhododendron (various stages).  FEW BLOOMS—Asiatic Dayflower*, Canadian  Violets (BP), Crimson Bee Balm*,Daisy Fleabane (BP), Flowering Spurge (BP), Horse Nettle (various stages), Pale Jewelweed*, Saint John’s Wort (JSB), Tick Trefoil*, Wild Hydrangea (BP), Wood Nettle*.

JUNE 19
LITTLE RIVER TRAIL (B TO CUCUMBER GAP TRAIL):
SOME BLOOMS—Daisy Fleabane (BP), Rosebay Rhododendron (various stages), Wild Hydrangea (various stages), Wood Nettle*.  FEW BLOOMS—Black Cohosh (JSB), Pale Jewelweed*.

CUCUMBER GAP TRAIL (B-E): SOME BLOOMS—Wood Nettle*.  FEW BLOOMS—Crimson Bee Balm*, Indian Pipe*, Large Bluet*, Rosebay Rhododendron (various stages).

JAKES CREEK TRAIL – (B TO CUCUMBER GAP TRAIL): SOME BLOOMS—Daisy Fleabane (BP), Wild Hydrangea (various stages).  FEW BLOOMS—Crimson Bee Balm*, Heal All (JSB), Pale Jewelweed*.


JUNE 10
TURKEY PEN TRAIL (3 MILES UP TRAIL): MANY BLOOMS— Wild Hydrangea*.  SOME BLOOMS—Basil Bee Balm (various stages).  FEW BLOOMS—Daisy Fleabane (AG), Flame Azalea*, Goats Beard (AG), Heart Leaf Hedge Nettle (JSB), Horse Nettle (BP), Pipsissewa (BP), Rosebay Rhododendron (JSB), Star Grass*, White Clover (BP), Wild Geranium*, Wood Nettle (JSB).

JUNE 3
WEST PRONG TRAIL (TREEMONT TO CAMPSITE #18): MANY BLOOMS—Basil Bee Balm (various stages), Large Bluet*, Wild Hydrangea (various stages).  SOME BLOOMS—Canadian Violet (BP), Goats Beard (BP), Pipsissewa*.  FEW BLOOMS—Daisy Fleabane*, Fairy Wand*, Galax (AG), Hawkweed (BP), Loosestrife (BP), Rosebay Rhododendron*, Wood Nettle (JSB).

MAY 29
HUSKEY GAP TRAIL (FROM 441 TO HUSKEY GAP): MANY BLOOMS—Canadian Violet (various stages), Large Bluets (BP), Wild Hydrangea (various stages).  SOME BLOOMS—Galax (BP), Mountain Laurel (BP), Wood Nettle (JSB).  FEW BLOOMS—Flame Azalea*, Goats Beard (various stages), Golden (JSB), Indian Cucumber Root (AG), Loosestrife (BP), Milkweed (JSB).

MAY 20
FINELY CANE TRAIL (B TO 1/10 OF A MILE FROM END OF TRAIL): MANY BLOOMS—Galax (various stages), Large Bluet*, Partridge Berry*.  SOME BLOOMS—Canadian Violet (BP), Mountain Laurel (BP).  FEW BLOOMS—Bar Cucumber (BP), Indian Cucumber Root*, Indian Pipe*, Sweet Cicely, Yellow Wood Sorrel.

MAY 13
SCHOOL HOUSE GAP TRAIL (B-E): MANY BLOOMS—Daisy Fleabane (BP), Large Bluet*, Mountain Laurel (APB), Partridge Berry*, Star Grass*, White Clover*.  SOME BLOOMS—Common Cinquefoil*, Fairyland*, False Solomon’s Seal (various stages), Galax (various stages), Red Clover *, Yellow Wood Sorrell (APB).  FEW BLOOMS—Bar Cucumber *, Bowman’s Root (BP), Carolina Wood Vetch (BP), Canadian Violets (BP), Foam Flower (AG), Golden Ragwort*, Lyer Leaf Sage (BP), Maple Leaf Viburnum*, Meadow Parsnip*, Solomon’s Seal Grande (BP), Sweet Cicely*, Sweet White Violet (BP).

MAY 10
CHESTNUT TOP TRAIL (ABOUT 2 AND A HALF MILES UP THE TRAIL): MANY BLOOMS—Galax (APB), Hawkweed (various stages), Mountain Laurel (APB), Large Bluet (APB), Partridge Berry.  SOME BLOOMS—Star Grass*.  FEW BLOOMS—Beard Tongue (various stages), Blackberry (AG), Dog Hobble (AG), Fairy Wand*, False Solomon’s Seal (various stages), Four Leaf Milkweed (ABP), Maple Leaf Viburnum (BP), Vasey Trillium*.

APRIL 29

METCALF BOTTOMS TRAIL (B-E): MANY BLOOMS—Dog Hobble (BP), Wild Geranium (various stages)SOME BLOOMS—Lyre Leaf Sage (BP).  FEW BLOOMS—Blackberry (JSB), Carolina Vetch (BP), Common Blue Violets*, Rested Dwarf Iris (various stages), Daisy Fleabane (APB), Foam Flower (AG), Large Bluet (JSB), Meadow Parsnip (JSB), Sweet White Violets (BP), White Clover (JSB), Yellow Trillium*.

WALKER SISTERS CABIN TRAIL (B-E): MANY BLOOMS—Carolina Vetch (BP), Crested Dwarf Iris*, Lyre Leaf Sage (BP), Robins Plantain (BP), Wild Geranium (various stages).  SOME BLOOMS—Daisy Fleabane*, Dog Hobble (BP), Yellow Trillium*.  FEW BLOOMS—Bed Straw, Blackberry (JSB), Canadian Violet*, Common Blue Violet*, Hawkweed (APB), Miami Mist*, Solomon’s Seal*, Star Grass*, Sweet White Violet (BP), White Clover (JSB), Wood Anemone*.

LITTLE BRIER GAP TRAIL (B-E): MANY BLOOMS—Robin’s Plantain (BP), Star Grass*, Wild Geranium*.  SOME BLOOMS—Crested Dwarf Iris (BP), Fire Pink*, Yellow Trillium*.  FEW BLOOMS—Blackberry (JSB), Common Cinquefoil, Daisy Fleabane*, Galax (JSB), Lousewort (AG), Lyre Leaf Sage (AG).

LITTLE GREENBRIER TRAIL (B TO LITTLE BRIER GAP TRAIL): MANY BLOOMS—Mountain Laurel (JSB), Star Grass*.  SOME BLOOMS—Hawkweed (APB).  FEW BLOOMS—Blackberry (JSB), Flame Azalea (BP), Galax – Few (JSB), Large Bluet (JSB), Meadow Parsnip (JSB).

WEAR GAP ROAD (PARK BOUNDARY TO METCALF BOTTOMS): MANY BLOOMS—Crested Dwarf Iris (various stages), Daisy Fleabane (APB), Early Buttercup*, Fire Pink*, Miami Mist (BP), Wild Geranium*.  SOME BLOOMS—Carolina Vetch (BP), Lyre Leaf Sage (BP), Robins Plantain (BP), Yellow Trillium*.  FEW BLOOMS—Blue Eye Grass (BP), Common Cinquefoil*, Golden Ragwort (AG), Meadow Parsnip (JSB), Red Clove (JSB), Rue Anemone (BP), Star Chickweed*, Sweet White Violet (BP), White Clover (JSB), Wild Strawberry (JSB).  SPECIAL NOTES—For folks not able to get out on the trails, the Wear Gap Road presently offers an amazing display of blooming wildflowers. The Fire Pinks, The Wild Geraniums and the Miami Mist are close to outdoing themselves. Park in one of three parking areas and walk short distances along the road (with care) to take advantage of this opportunity.

 

APRIL 22

LUMBER RIDGE TRAIL (B TO TOP OF RIDGE): MANY BLOOMS—Common Cinquefoil*, Crested Dwarf Iris (various stages), Dog Hobble (APB), Meadow Parsnip (APB), Plantain Leaf Pussytoes (AG), Robins Plantain (various stages), Rue Anemone*, Star Chickweed*, Star Grass*.  SOME BLOOMS—Brook Lettuce*, Dogwood*, Hawkweed (JSB), Squaw Root (BP), Sweet Shrub (APB), Sweet White Violet (BP).  FEW BLOOMS—Blackberry  Few (JSB), Cancer Root*, Common Blue Violet*, Fairy wand (JSB), Foam Flower (BP), Galax (JSB), Long Spurred Violet (BP), Lousewort (various stages), Mountain Laurel (buds), Silver Bells (BP), Wild Oats, Yellow Mandarin (BP).  NOTES—About two and a quarter mile up the trail on the left there some Flame Azalea bushes that should be blooming in a week. Just past that, on the left side as well, it appears that the Umbrella Magnolia are starting to bloom. Yellow Trillium are blooming to the left of the walkway headed toward the Tremont dorm.

 

APRIL 19

ACE GAP TRAIL (B TO OLD CAMPSITE #7): MANY BLOOMS—Carolina Vetch*, Catesby Trillium (various stages), Common Cinquefoil*, Crested Dwarf Iris (BP), Meadow Parsnip (APB), Robins Plantain (AG), Rue Anemone*, Solomon’s Seal*, Star Grass*, Wild Geranium (various stages).  SOME BLOOMS—Cancer Root (JSB), Dogwood*, Fire Pink*, Flame Azalea (APB), Halberd Leaf Violet*, Spotted Mandarin*, Sweet Shrub (JSB), Wild Oats (BP), Yellow Mandarin (BP).  FEW BLOOMS—Bird foot Violet*, Blackberry (JSB), Common Blue Violet*, Early Buttercup*,  Galax (various stages), Hooked Butter Cup*, Long Spurred Violet (BP), May Apple, Mountain Laurel (JSB), Solomon’s Seal Grande (APB), Stone crop (APB), Trillium Erect*, Vernal Iris (BP).

 

APRIL 15

LOWER MT. CAMMERER TRAIL (B TO CAMPSITE #35): MANY BLOOMS—Bishop Cap (various stages), Blue Cohosh*, Canadian Violets*, Common Cinquefoil*, Crested Dwarf Iris*, Foam Flower (various stages), Large Flowered Bellwort*, Meadow Parsnip (APB), Nodding Trillium (various stages), Rue Anemone*, Solomon’s Seal*, Spotted Mandarin*, Star Chickweed*, Stone Crop (APB), Sweet White Violets*, Sweet William Trillium (various stages), Trillium Erect (various stages), Wild Geranium (JSB), Wild Oats*, Wild Phlox (APB), Yellow Trillium*, Yellow Woodland Violet*.  SOME BLOOMS—Golden Ragwort (BP), Meadow Rue (BP), Purple Wake Robin, Silver Bell, Wood Anemone*.  FEW BLOOMS—Common Blue Violet*, False Solomon’s Seal (JSB), Halberd Leaf Violet, Hooked Buttercup (JSB), Long Spurred Violet (BP), Service Berry*, Spring Beauty*, Squaw Root (APB), Star Grass*, Toothwort (AG), Trailing Arbutus*, Yellow Mandarin.

 

APRIL 12

ROUND TOP TRAIL (TO ABOUT TWO AND A HALF MILES UP THE TRAIL): MANY BLOOMS—Bird foot Violet*, Common Cinquefoil*, Rue Anemone*, Star Chickweed*, Star Grass*, Wild Geranium (various stages), Wild Oats*, Plantain Leaf Pussytoes (BP).SOME BLOOMS—Carolina Vetch*, Crested Dwarf Iris (various stages).  FEW BLOOMS—Common Blue Violet*, Firepink*, Halberd Leaf Violet (JSB), Meadow Rue (APB), Robins Plantain*, Serviceberry*, Squaw Root (BP), Yellow Trillium*.

 

APRIL 8

CHESTNUT TOP TRAIL (FIRST 3/10 MILE): MANY BLOOMS—Bishop Caps*, False Solomon’s Seal (JSB), Long Spurred Violets*, Purple Phacelia*, Solomon’s Seal (APB), Star Chickweed*, Stone Crop (JSB), Sweet White Trillium*, Yellow Trillium*.SOME BLOOMS—Crested Dwarf Iris (various stages), Dogwood *, Fire Pinks (APB), Meadow Parsnip (APB), Rue Anemone*, Solomon’s Seal Grande (JSB), Spring Beauty*.  FEW BLOOMS—Common Blue Violet (APB), Foam Flower (BP), Hepatica, Toothwort (BP), Yellow Mandarin (JSB).

LAUREL CREEK ROAD: Dogwood, Purple Phacelia, Red Bud, Sweet White Trillium, Yellow Trillium.

LITTLE RIVER ROAD (FROM TOWNSEND WYE TO METCALF BOTTOMS): Dogwood, Purple Phacelia, Sweet White Trillium, Wild Columbine, Yellow Trillium.

 

APRIL 1

LITTLE RIVER TRAIL (B TO CUCUMBER GAP TRAIL): MANY BLOOMS—Halberd Leaf Violet*, Large Flowered Trillium (JSB), Rue Anemone*, Sweet White Trillium (APB), Trillium Erect*. SOME BLOOMS—Bishop Caps (various stages), Calendine Poppy*, Common Blue Violet*, Frazer Sedge (BP), Hepatica*, Spring Beauty (JSB), Sweet White Violet*, Trout Lily (various stages), Yellow Trillium (various stages), Yellow Woodland Violet*.  FEW BLOOMS—Brook Lettuce (JSB), Dutchmen’s Breeches, Large Flowered Bellwort (JSB), Squaw Root (JSB), Squirrel Corn, Star Chickweed (APB), Toothwort (BP), White Fringed Phacelia*, Wild Geranium (JSB), Wild Ginger (JSB), Wood Anemone*.

MARCH 29

NORRIS RIVER BLUFF TRAIL: MANY BLOOMS—Bishop Caps (various stages), Purple Wake Robin (various stages), Toothwort (various stages), Trout Lily (various stages), Yellow Trillium (various stages). SOME BLOOMS—Calendine Poppy*, Common Blue Violet (APB), Hepatica (APB), Spring Beauty (various stages), Squaw Root (JSB), Wild Phlox (various stages).  FEW BLOOMS—Golden Ragwort*, Little Brown Jugs, Purple Phacelia (JSB), Rue Anemone*, Solomon’s Seal (JSB), Star Chickweed*.  NOTES—It was a cool morning, so many of the Trout Lilies, Spring Beauties and Toothwort blooms were closed.

 

MARCH 25

PORTER CREEK TRAIL (B TO FERN FALLS): MANY BLOOMS—Halberd Leaf Violet*, Large Flowered Trillium, Long Spurred Violet*, Star Chickweed*, Sweet White Violet*, White Fringed Phacelia*.  SOME BLOOMS—Bent Trillium (various stages), Bishop Caps (APB), Common Blue Violet (APB), Dutchmen’s Breeches*, Robins Plantain (APB), Round Leaf Violet*, Rue Anemone*, Trout Lily*, Wild Phlox*, Wood Anemone*, Yellow Trillium (JSB), Yellow Woodland Violet*.  FEW BLOOMS—Bird Foot Violet*, Blood Root (various stages), Brook Lettuce (JSB), Foam Flower (JSB), Golden Ragwort (JSB), Hooked Buttercup*(AG), Trillium Erect*, Wild Geranium (JSB).  NOTES—There is an outstanding display of Wild phlox along Greenbrier Road. A few of the Stone Crop are budded the last quarter of mile before the falls on the left.

 

MARCH 18

WEST PRONG TRAIL (B TO CAMPSITE #18): MANY BLOOMS—Blood Root (budded), Halberd Leaf Violet (JSB), Hepatica*, Long Spurred Violet*, Rue Anemone*, Spring Beauty (budded), Yellow Trillium (budded).SOME BLOOMS—Dutchmen’s Breeches*, Seersucker Sedge (various stages), Star Chickweed*, Sweet White Violets*, Toothwort (APB).  FEW BLOOMS—Blue Cohosh (budded), Frazer Sedge*, Solitary Pussytoe*, Stone (JSB), Trailing Arbutus*. NOTES—Evidence of recent activity of wild boars on the first three-fourths of the trail. The trail crew has done an amazing job removing debris on this trail (appears to have been done in the last couple of weeks).

 

MARCH 11

METCALF BOTTOMS TRAIL (B-E): SOME BLOOMS—Solitary Pussytoes (JSB) on the left a short distance up the trail.

WALKER SISTERS CABIN (B-E): SOME BLOOMS—Halberd Leaf Violet about 2/10 of a mile up the trail on the left; Solitary Pussytoes (JSB) left at different locations on the trail.

LITTLE BRIER GAP TRAIL (B-E): SOME BLOOMS—Trailing Arbutus (ES) on the left, last tenth of mile coming from Walker Sisters Cabin trail.

LITTLE GREENBRIER TRAIL (B TO LITTLE BRIER TAP TRAIL): MANY BLOOMS—Trailing Arbutus* on the left coming from Wear Gap at different locations on the trail.

WEAR GAP ROAD (PARK BOUNDARY TO METCALF BOTTOMS): SOME BLOOMS—Hepatica on embankment on the right coming from the park boundary first tenth of a mile; Rue Anemone (budded) should be blooming right away with warm days coming mid-week, on right first tenth of mile coming from the gap.

 

MARCH 4

CHESTNUT TOP TRAIL (B TO APPROXIMATELY 2.5 TO 3 MILES UP THE TRAIL): MANY BLOOMS—Hepatica, Seersucker Sedge*, Spring Beauty*.  SOME BLOOMS—Long Spurred Violet*, Solitary Pussytoes (JSB), Star Chickweed, Sweet Pinesap (JSB), Trailing Arbutus.

FEBRUARY 26

ANTHONY CREEK TRAIL (B TO CAMPSITE #9): Approximately two miles up the trail there are around 20 Hepatica blooming and there are several flowers with buds on them. With the temps coming mid-week there should be more blooms soon.

 

FEBRUARY 17

CHESTNUT TOP TRAIL (1ST 3/10 MILE): Hepatica (3 blooms, 10 buds), Long Spurred Violet (2 blooming), Seersucker Sedge (2 blooming), Spring Beauty (2 budded), Star Chickweed (3 blooming).

 

FEBRUARY 14

Lower Mount Cammerer Trail (B to campsite #35): Three Hepatica were found in bloom about .03 of a mile out the Lower Mount Cammerer Trail on the left. There were several of the flowers budded nearby. About two and a half miles out the trail, two Spring Beauties were budded on the right.

Great Smokies

Welcome Center

Hours of Operation

(subject to change)

Open year round (closed December 25)


January - February

Open Daily 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

March - November

Open Daily 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
December

Open Daily 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

The Great Smokies Welcome Center is located on U.S. 321 in Townsend, TN, 2 miles from the west entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Visitors can get information about things to see and do in and around the national park and shop from a wide selection of books, gifts, and other Smokies merchandise. Daily, weekly, and annual parking tags for the national park are also available.

Physical Address

7929 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway Townsend TN 37882

Contact

865.436.7318 Ext 320